In another sign that weeks of labour unrest in South Africa's platinum belt could be ending, world number one platinum producer Anglo American Platinum said it had resumed its operations in the strike-hit Rustenburg area.

"Anglo American Platinum Limited [Amplats] confirms that all of its Rustenburg operations have resumed, effective from today's morning shift," the company said in a statement.

On the news of the Marikana agreement, the spot platinum price fell 2% to a session low at $1 627.49 per ounce and the rand firmed against the dollar.

The wildcat mining strikes had hit the rand currency, raised insurance against default on South African debt and spooked some foreign investors into selling shares in mining companies.

The six-week conflict in the mining sector also ignited criticism against President Jacob Zuma and the ANC. They face accusations from political rivals that they have neglected poor workers and sided with wealthy business owners. – Additional reporting by Reuters